Refrigerator dietary module

ABSTRACT

A dietary module suitable for moving food about a hospital. The module has an opening on one end for cold air from a portable refrigeration unit having an opening compatible with the opening in the module. The refrigeration unit can be connected to the module when the module is stationary. The refrigeration unit has a refrigeration compressor, condenser, evaporator and fan for circulating air through the module. The module can be quickly disconnected from the refrigeration unit and moved to a distant point where it can be connected to another refrigeration unit for use.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,872 686 Patrie Mar. 25, 1975 [54] REFRIGERATOR DIETARY MODULE 3.468.369 9/1969 Tetnik 62/237 0 o 7 [75] Inventor: James H. Patric Erie, Pa- 3.777 506 l../l973 Hcrgztt 6. 98

[73] Assignee: zgmerican Sterilizer Company, Erie, P i E i r M yer P rlin 22 Filed: June 19, 1973 57 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 371,484 A dietary module suitable for moving food about a hospital. The module has an opening on one end for H2] U 5 Cl 62/237 62/298 62/448 cold air from a portable refrigeration unit having an g Fzsd 15/00 opening compatible with the opening in the module. 5 Fie'ld 298 448 The refrigeration unit can be connected to the module when the module is stationary. The refrigeration unit has a refrigeration compressor. condenser. evaporator and fan for circulating air through the module. The [56] References cued module can be quickly disconnected from the refriger- UNITED STATES PATENTS ation unit and moved to a distant point where it can 2,439437 sv l y 62/237 be connected to another refrigeration unit for use. 2 778206 l ison 3.199.579 8/1965 Foster 62/448 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED 2 5 975 SHEET 1 q z FIG i REFRIGERATOR DIETARY MODULE GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Most food arrives at the hospital in any of several specific forms (fresh, frozen, freeze-dried, canned, etc.). They may also be pre-prepared and preportioned. For patient food service, meal preparation begins at least a day in advance. After tabulating the patient menu selections for the following day, the cook removes the correct number of servings from the freezer and puts them into a tempering refrigerator to thaw, for example at 38 F.

Next day, the tempered food is placed on a refrigerated serving line where patient trays are made up-- -usually hours in advance of meal time. The balance of other foods and implements required are added to complete individual trays and they are placed in an insulated cart for scheduled delivery to the patient floor pantry. On arrival, this module is attached to a portable refrigeration unit and stored until mealtime.

Just prior to mealtime, the patient trays are removed from the cart. Items to be served hot are carefully heated in a micro-wave oven. During this period, the dietary personnel prepare and pour beverages, make toast, and dispense ice. The heated foods are then returned to the tray.

The completed trays are placed onto a cart and immediately transferred to nursing personnel for delivery to the patient. After retrieval from patient rooms, the soiled trays are returned to the proper processing area via the same cart which brought them to the pantry. All reprocessibles and the distribution cart then receive thorough cleaning prior to reuse.

Applicants concept of the solution to the above problem separates dietary personnel from direct patient contact. The personnel do not enter the patients room for either tray delivery or pickup thereby narrowing chances of cross-infection. Applicants concept provides a previously unknown variety of foods at the hospital, and provides menu flexibility covering the entire spectrum from special diets to exotic gourmet foods and almost everything between. The system according to the concept lends itself to highly efficient planning. Excess foods and subsequent waste common in conventional food preparation are eliminated.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved dietary module.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dietary portable module for moving complete meals about a hospital, the module having means thereon for connecting it to a refrigeration system.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved systcm for preparing and handling meals in a hospital.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions, and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the dietary module according to the invention, shown connected to the refrigeration unit.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the dietary module showing the refrigeration unit removed.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the dietary module.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the refrigeration unit used with the dietary module shown.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the refrigeration unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Now with more particular reference to the drawings, the refrigeration unit 50, when coupled to an easy-toattach dietary module 10, refrigerates precooked food (placed in the module) and maintains it at about 38 F. After cooling the food, the refrigeration unit 50 is detached by releasing suitcase-like buckles 60. The module 10 is then used to transport the food to the nursing floor pantry area; and at the pantry area, the module is attached to another refrigeration unit similar to unit 50 to maintain the foods at proper temperature until heating and/or serving time.

The dietary module 10 is insulated and fully enclosed. Overall dimensions may be, for example, in the range of 53 inches wide by 26 inches deep by 63 inches high. The capacity is to accommodate either 30 standard trays at 4% inches height intervals or 33 at 4-1/16 inches intervals.

The outer shell of the dietary module may be a welded, stainless steel, boxlike structure. The front and back panels are notched and reinforced at the door hinges for added strength. A bar, recessed in the back panel, provides a convenient hand-hold for maneuvering the module. An easy-to-mark-and-erase destination plate is also on the back panel. Rubber bumpers 20 on the outside corners provide collision-damage protection.

The inner liner is a fiberglass-reinforced plastic formulated to resist abrasions and scratches and bonded and sealed against peel-up and leaks. The liner has. coved corners for easy cleaning. Fire-retardant, nontoxic, polyurethane foam insulation between the liner and outer shell (also doors) guards the temperature within the module. Joints, crevices or openings through which moisture could pass are effectively sealed.

Racks for food are provided. The stainless steel rod racks divide the module interior into three sections. Each section will accommodate either ten or eleven dietary trays depending upon the shelf arrangement selected. Racking is so arranged that it does not impede proper air circulation within the module. Stops prevent the trays from striking the liner.

Hinged access doors 15 extend the full width of the front of the module. Each door is of double-pan, insulated construction with cup-type door pull 17. A vacuum formed liner on the inside covers the insulation. A drop-down latch bar pushes the doors tightly against a silicone rubber gasket. Self-closing door braces hold the doors open while the module is being loaded or washed. When not in use, the braces swing out of the way, against the module exterior.

The refrigeration unit opening is framed with stainless steel angle members, either to the right or left of the hinged access doors l6 hinges 17. The opening is covered with two stainless steel, hinged, panel doors 16 which engage the refrigeration unit latching mecha-' nism 17. A latch bar, as for the module doors, is also provided.

The module is bolted to a transfer carriage having two fixed casters 12 and two swivel casters 14. Each caster has heavy duty polyurethane tread 13. A wrap around bumper 21 provides added module protection.

The completely self-contained refrigeration unit 50 is designed especially for dietary module. It may be designed for example to lower the module air temperature to 38 F. within 40 minutes. The cabinet, with the exception of two removable access panels, is stainless steel. Its high quality workmanship is identical to that of the dietary module. The rear of the refrigeration unit features textured epoxy coated steel service access panels and stainless steel pull bar.

The refrigeration system is hermetically sealed and includes an air cooled condenser. A generously sized evaporator coil and a four blade fan comprise the cooler.

The upper cabinet section is divided into three segments. The center segment houses the cooler and forms an air duct 23 through which the fan blows cold air into the dietary module. Air is drawn out of the module through smaller ducts above and below the center duct. A soft, flexible foam gasket separates the air flow passages. The entire upper section is fully insulated for temperature protection. A frame perforated stainless steel grill covers the air openings 24. Suitcase-type latches on each side of the refrigeration unit provide a quick and positive method of latching it to the dietary module. These latches 30, in combination with a soft vinyl gasket, provide positive seal of the two components even on floors with unevenness up to 1/16 inch per foot.

The lower cabinet section houses the condensing unit. Grill covered openings 24 in the sides of the cabinet allow proper air flow. Horizontal legs 51 for maximum stability are securely bolted to cabinet recesses. Four swivel casters 52, with revolving rubber bumpers 53, provide easy maneuverability.

The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferred practical forms but the structure shown is capable of modification within a range of equivalents without departing from the invention which is to be understood is broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination, a dietary module and a refrigeration unit,

said dietary module comprising a cabinet and four floor engaging Wheels supporting said cabinet, doors swingably connected to said cabinet,

an opening in one end of said cabinet,

a first and a second access door swingably connected to each side of said opening,

a self contained refrigeration unit,

floor engaging wheels supporting said refrigeration unit, an opening in one end of said refrigeration unit, said access doors on said dietary module being adapted to swing open to a position generally parallel to each other providing a space therebetween to receive an end of said self contained refrigeration unit with said opening in said refrigeration unit communicating with the inside of said cabinet,

and means on said refrigeration unit adapted to force refrigerated air into said module whereby food adapted to be disposed in said module is cooled,

and first clamping means on said access doors and second clamping means on the sides of said refrigeration unit for clamping said self contained refrigeration unit to said doors whereby said refrigeration unit and said dietary module are held together in rigid relation and can be moved about a floor on said floor engaging wheels.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein duct means is provided in said refrigeration unit for circulat- 

1. In combination, a dietary module and a refrigeration unit, said dietary module comprising a cabinet and four floor engaging wheels supporting said cabinet, doors swingably connected to said cabinet, an opening in one end of said cabinet, a first and a second access door swingably connected to each side of said opening, a self contained refrigeration unit, floor engaging wheels supporting said refrigeration unit, an opening in one end of said refrigeration unit, said access doors on said dietary module being adapted to swing open to a position generally parallel to each other providing a space therebetween to receive an end of said self contained refrigeration unit with said opening in said refrigeration unit communicating with the inside of said cabinet, and means on said refrigeration unit adapted to force refrigerated air into said module whereby food adapted to be disposed in said module is cooled, and first clamping means on said access doors and second clamping means on the sides of said refrigeration unit for clamping said self contained refrigeration unit to said doors whereby said refrigeration unit and said dietary module are held together in rigid relation and can be moved about a floor on said floor engaging wheels.
 2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein duct means is provided in said refrigeration unit for circulating air through said module. 